A film bursting with colour, music and everything quintessentially English that reveals Scrooby Manor’s important place in British American history.
Pilgrim Home offers a unique insight into the early life of the English origins of the Mayflower Pilgrims.
If you think you know the story prepare yourself for something new told from the heart of the home.
Jane Williams, Director
Jane creates award winning factual television. Programmes made for the BBC include features on the National Trust, Historic England, the Landmark Trust and Buckingham Palace Garden.
This is Jane’s first independent documentary. She thrives on bringing together historical narrative with personal stories to make thoughtful films.
About the Documentary
Scrooby in Nottinghamshire was home to Mayflower Passenger Elder William Brewster and his wife Mary.
Their descendants include Taylor Swift, Richard Gere, Seth Macfarlane and Geena Davis.
William Brewster
Brewster was the group’s spiritual leader and helped organise the voyage to New England. He was also an academic and rebel.
He may have also authored the Mayflower Compact, often considered a forerunner of the US Constitution.
History Reimagined
The film discovers the Manor’s connection to William Brewster and other Pilgrims. This is interwoven with the events during the time that led to the Pilgrims escaping from England.
The film also concentrates on investigating what Scrooby Manor would have looked like in its Tudor heyday.
Aims of the Documentary
- To engage and educate using film
- To create a new narrative
- To build international links
- To challenge historical thought
- To present new evidence
- To showcase the Midlands region
- To value the role of volunteers
Digital Archive
Forever in search of untold stories Scrooby Manor has captured Jane’s imagination. She has been following the research into the Manor for several years.
Jane is a digital archivist capturing and preserving moments in time on film for future generations.
Diverse Audiences
Developing versions of Pilgrim Home has been screened in museums, galleries and cinemas in the UK and USA. Snippets of footage were also shown on the BBC.
Pilgrim Home was premiered at Rhode Island International Film Festival in a double bill with another English documentary introduced by Sir David Attenborough. The documentary is seeking to reach an even wider audience.
Jane is keen to bring the film to audiences who appreciate history, genealogy and architecture.